Management & Operations

Two injured when train hits utility truck

A Union Pacific Railroad employee was injured Friday morning when he drove his utility truck under a railroad crossing barrier and was hit by a Houston Metro train.

According to the Houston Chronicle, a 30-year-old welder for Union Pacific was in serious but stable condition after the accident. The driver of the Metro train, an operator trainee, was thrown into the vehicle’s windshield and also injured.

Police said the train was traveling at about 50 miles per hour when the emergency brake was pulled. The only passengers aboard the train were four other driver trainees who were taken to hospitals as a precaution, though none were hurt.

The accident was the eighth crash involving a Metro train since testing began last fall. However, witnesses said that the Union Pacific employee intentionally had a co-worker lift the crossing gates so he could drive by even though the red flashing lights indicated a train was approaching.

A fully autonomous, 15-passenger electric shuttle manufactured by French firm NAVYA will support research and provide self-guided tours of Mcity, the university's test site for connected and automated vehicles.

The AV passenger shuttle will run a fixed-route stopping at designated stops within an office park. The pilot will begin with two vehicles — each with a customer service agent onboard for passenger questions and information.